Nintendo Teams Up with Seattle Mariners for Exciting Switch 2 Marketing Campaign!

Major Partnership Announcement

Get ready to see a lot of Nintendo logos this summer, especially if you’re a fan of Major League Baseball. The Seattle Mariners announced that they’ve partnered with Nintendo as the team’s first-ever official jersey sleeve partner. Starting March 27, the Nintendo logo and the Nintendo Switch 2 logo will be featured on Mariners players’ sleeves.

Unique Jersey Branding

The racetrack logo will appear on Mariners’ home jerseys, while the more prominent Switch 2 logo will be showcased on the team’s away jerseys. This makes the Mariners the first MLB team to feature different logos for home and away games.

A Long-Standing Connection

“Nintendo and the Mariners have been inextricably linked since 1992,” said Seattle Mariners president of business operations Kevin Martinez. This partnership dates back to when Nintendo of America purchased the Mariners in the early ’90s, although they sold their stake in 2016. Martinez emphasized that the jersey sleeves will remind fans of Nintendo's contributions to the Northwest community and the team.

Rarity of Video Game Branding in Sports

Logos of video game companies appearing on U.S.-based sports teams is quite rare. While gaming brands are often seen in sports racing and European football, Seattle has made exceptions. Notably, the Seattle Sounders FC featured an Xbox logo on their jerseys from 2009 to 2016.

Changing Advertising Rules in MLB

Before 2022, advertisements on MLB jerseys were largely prohibited. The league’s 2022-2027 collective bargaining agreement now allows for a small shoulder patch with a corporate logo on one sleeve of players’ uniforms and batting helmets.

Upcoming Launch

Fans can catch the Mariners’ new Nintendo branding next week when the team hosts the Athletics on opening day. The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to launch this summer, with more details to be revealed in a Nintendo Direct dedicated to Switch 2 on April 2.

Image: Seattle Mariners